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Decentralisation and Legal Pluralism in Small Towns in Uganda

Vargas Falla, Ana Maria LU orcid ; Mackay, Heather LU orcid ; Andersson, Agnes LU ; Mukwaya, Paul Isolo and Mugagga, Frank (2025) In Public Administration and Development
Abstract
Weak decentralization, authoritarianism and limited economic development in small towns in Uganda have been seen as key obstacles to political inclusion. However, small towns in theory also hold hope for political inclusion due to the potential for more direct citizen engagement and flexibility to be able to respond to citizens' needs. Drawing on 58 focus groups, 24 key informant interviews, and three feedback meetings across seven towns, this research reveals persistent exclusion of marginalised groups due to local elite capture, national government dominance, resource constraints, and entrenched corruption. However, the study also identifies instances where flexible law enforcement—in issues such as street vending permits, housing... (More)
Weak decentralization, authoritarianism and limited economic development in small towns in Uganda have been seen as key obstacles to political inclusion. However, small towns in theory also hold hope for political inclusion due to the potential for more direct citizen engagement and flexibility to be able to respond to citizens' needs. Drawing on 58 focus groups, 24 key informant interviews, and three feedback meetings across seven towns, this research reveals persistent exclusion of marginalised groups due to local elite capture, national government dominance, resource constraints, and entrenched corruption. However, the study also identifies instances where flexible law enforcement—in issues such as street vending permits, housing permits, and water and sanitation regulation, has sometimes enabled responsiveness to citizen needs. Using the concept of legal pluralism, this article argues that the flexible application of the law not to allow for kleptocratic practices, but instead for innovative governance from below can enhance political inclusion and better align with the practical needs of citizens. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
decentralisation, legal pluralism, Uganda, Urbanisation, small towns, inclusive development, SDG 11, urban development, Local democracy, corruption, political inclusion
in
Public Administration and Development
pages
12 pages
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN
1099-162X
DOI
10.1002/pad.2110
project
Explaining inclusive lower-level urbanization in Tanzania and Uganda
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c6a9e8ac-c8d1-490d-83bf-26fdcdd51298
date added to LUP
2025-05-23 10:35:19
date last changed
2025-05-24 03:29:01
@article{c6a9e8ac-c8d1-490d-83bf-26fdcdd51298,
  abstract     = {{Weak decentralization, authoritarianism and limited economic development in small towns in Uganda have been seen as key obstacles to political inclusion. However, small towns in theory also hold hope for political inclusion due to the potential for more direct citizen engagement and flexibility to be able to respond to citizens' needs. Drawing on 58 focus groups, 24 key informant interviews, and three feedback meetings across seven towns, this research reveals persistent exclusion of marginalised groups due to local elite capture, national government dominance, resource constraints, and entrenched corruption. However, the study also identifies instances where flexible law enforcement—in issues such as street vending permits, housing permits, and water and sanitation regulation, has sometimes enabled responsiveness to citizen needs. Using the concept of legal pluralism, this article argues that the flexible application of the law not to allow for kleptocratic practices, but instead for innovative governance from below can enhance political inclusion and better align with the practical needs of citizens.}},
  author       = {{Vargas Falla, Ana Maria and Mackay, Heather and Andersson, Agnes and Mukwaya, Paul Isolo and Mugagga, Frank}},
  issn         = {{1099-162X}},
  keywords     = {{decentralisation; legal pluralism; Uganda; Urbanisation; small towns; inclusive development; SDG 11; urban development; Local democracy; corruption; political inclusion}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Public Administration and Development}},
  title        = {{Decentralisation and Legal Pluralism in Small Towns in Uganda}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pad.2110}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/pad.2110}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}